It is set to make a direct hit on Britain early next week, but the storm is set to batter the tropical Azores and Spain and Portugal on its way north.

The storm is currently heading east across the Atlantic Ocean and located around 745miles (1,195km) southwest of the autonomous Portuguese Azores islands, travelling at 3mph.

Current forecasts suggest the storm will gradually turn to the north and remain well offshore of the region but Portugal has issued an amber warning across the Azores islands for rain, wind and thunderstorms.